Propellor Safety - For Dummies

[RonT]

Ever wonder why boats are too expensive?? The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last week confirmed by unanimous vote to uphold a year old  court decision to award an 18 year old 3.8 million dollars from Brunswick Corp. The teen lost his leg when trying to untangle a ski rope from the prop and the driver accidentally put the 17' Sea Ray stern drive boat into reverse. The court reasoned that the boat and drive manufacturer (both Brunswick) could have installed a prop guard possibly preventing the accident.

If I remember I will bring a prototype prop guard to the reunion that I developed in 1990 when Florida was considering making them mandatory to protect MANATEES, people are suppose to have functioning brains, yes accidents do happen and are tragic, but holding the boat manufacturer responsible??   

[Joel]

When will the local, county, state & federal officials (all branches) figure out you cant regulate STUPIDITY...  it cannot be done.  I've been with the U.S. Dept of Transportation (USCG and Federal Railroad Administration) for over 32 years and we've been completely unsuccessful to date.

The next futile attempt is to regulate "Texting while Driving" a motor vehicle - good luck!!!  On Memorial Day a woman who was texting while driving hit my 1986 Porsche in the rear while I was sitting at a red light...  I saw her coming and couldnt get out of the way fast enough...  She reported to her insurance company that "I must have rolled back into HER car..."  Yeah right, at 10 mph...  The cops cited her...  Its already illegal in Ohio and its had ZERO impact...

Chances are she'll sue Porsche for making the white paint too bright on a car that is too low to the ground - she'll probably win a MILLION $$$$...   

[phil]

yeah, that is BS. Joel, sorry to hear that your baby got hit. I hope you get her all fixed up very soon.

[RonT]

In Ca. a jury is listening to closing arguments today in a case VS MasterCraft, in July of 2006 the operator was turning back to retrieve a fallen wakeboarder, and while turning the boat washed 2 passengers into the water & through the prop (18 passengers were on board, max rating for this model) both survived with substantial injuries. They are seeking $32M minimum and has already assigned 99% of the fault to M/C, 1% to the operator. The case against M/C appears to be based on product testing and labeling (lack of)  prior to deliveries to the public. What I read doesn't sound good for M/C, they are comparing the auto & aircraft industry and the amount of product testing and documentation against what M/C does. 

[Joel]

Not a good time to be in business for yourself...  just doesnt pay, even when you do the absolute best you can and are in compliance with all rules & regs - you STILL get screwed   

Remember the lady who got a cool Million for spilling her own hot coffee on her lap at McDonalds...  Product labeling - didnt say it was a HOT liquid and you probably shouldnt POUR IT ALL OVER YOUR DUMB ASS...   

[Gonzo]

The American way, sue because of your foolish mistake. In some of these cases it do not even make sense the rewards the courts hand out. I would imaging this would scare companies away from this type of business. Lets hope everyone has a safe summer!

[Mike Harry]

Let me get this strait..... there is no sign on the boat that says so, but I should automatically know not to put my leg close to the prop when it its BLADES are spinning at 4000 RPMs!!!!

Or if I am driving, I shouldnt try and run over the guy in the water?!?!

What a concept..... somebody should write this shit down cause you cant make this shit up

[Joel]

Boat manufacturers conduct stability tests of each boat type (or a sample of sister boats).  Its very basic, but very well documented and very accurate.  MC probably didnt test the boat at full throttle in a 270 degree turn with maximum capacity because doing that is just plain stupid...  Or they didnt post signage in the boat saying "dont do this cause its just plain stupid".

Sooo were back to my original comment - you cant regulate stupidity... or as Ron White would say - "You cant fix stupid"    Unfortuantely, the Courts think they can...